Caerphilly Take Step Into Unknown

Caerphilly will quite literally take a step into the unknown when they face Italian club Petrarca Padova in the semi-finals of the PARKER PEN SHIELD.

The first leg will be played at Stade Plebiscito on Saturday with the return leg at Virginia Park now being televised live by S4C on 26 April and kicking-off at the later time of 5.30 pm.

But not only have the Welsh club never before made it through to the last four in Europe, but they still know precious little about their opponents for the two-leg tie.

'To be honest we really don't know much about them at all,' admitted Caerphilly coach Mark Ring.

'I've managed to get a hold of an old video of them from Phil Davies (Leeds Tykes coach) but I'm trying to get something a bit more recent.

'However, we are well aware of Mirco Bergamasco and Marco Bortolami and the threat they pose. They both played for Italy in the Six Nations win over Wales and we will have to watch them and keep them under control.'

Caerphilly have enjoyed an extra week off to the rest of the Welsh Premier clubs, who played the quarter-finals of the Principality Cup at the weekend.

That has given their walking wounded more time to recover in time for the first leg in Padova on Saturday.

'The break has meant we have got quite a few injured players coming back so we are all really looking forward to the game,' said Ring.

'Europe has been something of a welcome break for us from a tough Welsh league campaign, especially as we have conceded a lot of points in the last three weeks.'

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Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

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